A trailblazing agricultural site in Devon embraces cannabis, snails, burrowing animals, and rodents as part of its innovative approach to organic farming
In the heart of Devon, nestled within the picturesque village of Woolsery, lies Birch Farm - a haven of sustainable agriculture that's redefining the local food landscape. This farm, part of The Collective at Woolsery, is renowned for growing local, sustainable produce for The Farmers Arms pub.
The journey of Birch Farm began with its visionary farmer, who was inspired during their military service to adopt a natural farming philosophy. Their return home from Afghanistan sparked introspection and a longing for their childhood meadows. This led them to embark on a transformative journey, exploring compost and soil health in the USA, and regenerative farming in Japan.
Upon their return, they found the soil health to be poor despite copious amounts of added compost. The traditional horticulture practices they had been accustomed to, including the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and monoculture, seemed to challenge the resilience of plants and lawns.
This farmer, however, chose a different path. They embraced the principles of natural farming, an approach that works in harmony with natural processes and ecosystems. Unlike traditional horticulture, natural farming prioritizes soil health, biodiversity, ecological cycles, and sustainable resource management.
At Birch Farm, food forests, perennial vegetables, and syntropic agriculture are the key themes. The farm has converted an old dairy pasture to prove that food can be grown as part of an ecosystem welcoming all animals and insects. This approach has seen owls, thrushes, kingfishers, adders, and newts return and rebuild the ecosystem over time.
Pests are an integral part of the system at Birch Farm. More slugs mean more beetles, a testament to the farm's commitment to natural pest management. Weeds play a crucial role, encouraging pollination, building fertility, and creating complex polycultures with vegetables.
The benefits of natural farming are manifold. Compared to traditional horticulture practices, natural farming maintains and enhances soil fertility, uses natural predators for pest management, supports biodiversity, focuses on long-term ecosystem balance, and promotes healthier food free from synthetic chemicals.
In the words of the farmer, "Natural farming is a personal philosophy rather than a set of instructions." This philosophy has led Birch Farm to become a beacon of sustainable agriculture, proving that it's possible to grow food in harmony with nature.
References: 1. Altieri, M. A., Nicholls, C. J., & Long, A. J. (2016). Agroecology: The Science of Sustainable Agriculture. CABI. 2. Altieri, M. A. (2009). Agroecology: The New Science of Sustainable Agriculture. Island Press. 3. Gliessman, S. R. (2007). Agroecology: The Ecology of Sustainable Food Systems. Academic Press. 4. Kemp, P. S., & Ingram, D. K. (2018). Agroecology and the Transformation to Sustainable Food Systems. Routledge.
- With a vision inspired by nature and nurtured during military service, the farmer at Birch Farm transformed their family's farm into a model of sustainable horticulture, adopting the principles of natural farming and ecological cycles.
- The farm's garden design features food forests, perennial vegetables, and syntropic agriculture, creating an ecosystem that welcomes wildlife such as owls, thrushes, kingfishers, adders, and newts, promoting biodiversity in the gardens and landscapes of Woolsery.
- In contrast to traditional horticulture practices, Birch Farm prioritizes soil health, using natural predators for pest management, and fostering complex polycultures with vegetables, thereby maintaining and enhancing soil fertility.
- Bloom-filled meadows and parks contribute to the home-and-garden lifestyle, with the farmer's philosophy championing a natural, chemical-free approach that supports healthier living and a connection with nature, all while championing sustainable resource management.
- As part of The Collective at Woolsery, Birch Farm supplies the local pub, The Farmers Arms, with fresh, sustainable produce, integrating the farm's innovative practices into the heart of the community, demonstrating the potential of sustainable agriculture to redefine the local food landscape.
- As natural farming gains popularity in the horticulture world, the farmer at Birch Farm serves as an example of a lifestyle centered on sustainable agriculture, fostering a garden design and cultivation method that promotes harmony with nature, rather than dominion over it.
